Container with improved opening

ABSTRACT

A container (100) for consumer articles, the container (100) comprising a box (20) comprising a box front wall (22), a box back wall, a box bottom wall, and first and second box side walls (24a, 24b); and a lid (40) comprising a lid front wall (42), a lid back wall, a lid top wall (46), and first and second lid side walls (44a, 44b). A lower edge of the lid back wall depends along a hinge line from a top edge of the box back wall, with the lid being moveable about the hinge line between an open position and a closed position, in which at least a portion of the lower edge of the first lid side wall (44a) abuts at least a portion of the upper edge of the first box side wall (24a), and in which at least a portion of the lower edge of the lid front wall (22) abuts at least a portion of the upper edge of the box front wall (42). The first box side wall (24a) is connected to the box front wall (22) by a first box edge portion (25), and the first lid side wall (44a) is connected to the lid front wall (42) by a first lid edge portion (45). The shape of the first lid edge portion (45) is different from the shape of the first box edge portion (25), such that, when the lid (40) is in the closed position, the lower edge (47) of the first lid edge portion (45) is disposed beyond the upper edge (27) of the first box edge portion (25) in a transverse direction of the container (100).

The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods and to ablank for forming such container, which find particular application forholding elongate consumer goods, such as smoking articles (for examplecigarettes).

It is known to package elongate aerosol-generating articles and otherconsumer goods in containers formed from folded laminar blanks. Elongateaerosol-generating articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, are commonlysold in hinge-lid packs having a box for housing the aerosol-generatingarticles and a lid connected to the box about a hinge line extendingacross the back wall of the container. The front and side walls of thebox typically abut the corresponding front and side walls of the lidwhen the lid is closed. The hinge-lid pack may also comprise an innerframe secured to an inner surface of the box, the inner frame havingfront and side walls against which the lid closes. Such packs aretypically constructed from laminar cardboard blanks. In use, the lid ispivoted about the hinge line to open the pack and so gain access to theaerosol-generating articles held in the box. Generally, the hinge lineacross the back wall of the container is higher than the line ofabutment between the front wall of the box and the front wall of thelid. As a consequence, the line of abutment between the box and lid sidewalls typically slopes diagonally downwards from the back of thecontainer to the front.

In general, it is considered desirable to ensure that a tight line ofabutment is formed between corresponding walls on the lid portion andthe box portion. That is, it is normally desirable to ensure thatcorresponding walls on the lid and box lie in substantially the sameplane, when the lid is in the closed position, so that they appear ascontinuous walls of the container. However, because of this, a consumerwill typically need to rely on using a frictional force between theirfingers and the outer surface of the lid and/or box, in order to opensuch containers. Furthermore, in many cases this can require a consumerto use both of their hands to open the container; one to hold the box,the other to hold and move the lid. In addition, the opening of suchcontainers can be made even more difficult, if the container is providedwith means for ensuring that the lid remains firmly shut in the closedposition, when the container is not being used or handled. Such meanscan include retention cuts on inner frames, adhesive on the innersurface of the lid or outer surface of the inner frame, and hook andlatch mechanisms.

WO 2013/179418 A1 discloses a hinge-lid container that is wrapped in anouter film, which has a tear tape that a consumer pulls in order toremove the film and access the smoking articles. A corner portion of thebox is modified to have a “grip-facilitating section” in the form of anotch, opening or indentation.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a container that can stillremain firmly shut when not in use, but which can then be easily openedby a consumer. It would also be desirable to provide a container thatcould be opened by a consumer using only one hand. It would also bedesirable to provide a container that could be opened without relying onfrictional force between the surfaces of the lid and the consumer'sfingers. It would also be desirable to provide a blank for manufacturingsuch containers, which does not require any major modification ofexisting packing apparatus, or use of complex additional components.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda container for consumer articles, the container comprising: a boxcomprising a box front wall, a box back wall, a box bottom wall, andfirst and second box side walls; and a lid comprising a lid front wall,a lid back wall, a lid top wall, and first and second lid side walls. Alower edge of the lid back wall depends along a hinge line from a topedge of the box back wall, with the lid being moveable about the hingeline between an open position and a closed position, in which at least aportion of the lower edge of the first lid side wall abuts at least aportion of the upper edge of the first box side wall, and in which atleast a portion of the lower edge of the lid front wall abuts at least aportion of the upper edge of the box front wall. The first box side wallis connected to the box front wall by a first box edge portion, and thefirst lid side wall is connected to the lid front wall by a first lidedge portion; and the shape of the first lid edge portion is differentfrom the shape of the first box edge portion, such that, when the lid isin the closed position, the lower edge of the first lid edge portion isdisposed beyond the upper edge of the first box edge portion in atransverse direction of the container.

In contrast to known blanks/containers, the present invention relates toa container having a lid comprising a first lid edge portion having ashape that is different from the shape of a corresponding first box edgeportion, such that, when the lid is in the closed position, the loweredge of the first lid edge portion is disposed beyond the upper edge ofthe first box edge portion in a transverse direction of the container.This creates a transverse space or gap between the lower edge of the lidand the upper edge of the box, when the lid is in the closed position.Consequently, a consumer can simply push directly upwards on the lid byengaging a finger with the exposed lower lid edge, and thereby cause thelid to pivot about the hinge line to the open position. This action canbe applied by using only one finger, such as a thumb, and thereby allowsa consumer to hold the container in one hand and open the container withsaid single hand. Furthermore, this action does not need to rely onfrictional force between a consumer's finger and the lid in order totransfer a pivoting force to the lid, and consequently can be easier fora consumer to apply. That is, because the consumer is applying anupwards force directly to an edge of the lid, there is no need to relyon frictional force between the lid's surface and the consumer'sfinger(s), and therefore the container can be opened more easily by theconsumer.

The first box edge portion may have any suitable shape that could ensurethat the lower edge of the first lid edge portion is disposed beyond theupper edge of the first box edge portion in a transverse direction ofthe container. Preferably, the first box edge portion extends from theupper edge of the box to the box bottom wall. In such embodiments, thefirst box edge portion completely separates the box front wall from thefirst box side wall.

In some preferred embodiments, the first box edge portion comprises abevelled or curved shape. Preferably, the bevelled or curved shapeextends from the upper edge of the box to the box bottom wall.

In some other preferred embodiments, the first box edge portioncomprises a substantially triangular shape, wherein one side of thesubstantially triangular shape forms the upper edge of the first boxedge portion. The remaining two sides of the substantially triangularshape may respectively extend from opposed ends of the upper edge of thefirst box edge portion and converge and terminate at an intersectionpoint below the upper edge of the first box edge portion. Each of theremaining two sides of the substantially triangular shape may follow astraight trajectory or a curved trajectory as they extend towards theintersection point. The substantially triangular shape may extend fromthe upper edge of the box to the box bottom wall. However, in somepreferred embodiments, the substantially triangular shape terminatesabove the box bottom wall.

Providing a substantially triangular shape on the first box edge portioncan be particularly advantageous as it can allow the container toexhibit the easy-lift function described above, without necessarilyrequiring the lid top wall to have different dimensions to the boxbottom wall. This means that the overall maximum transverse dimensionsof the container do not necessarily need to be adjusted in order toaccommodate the easy-lift function described above. Consequently, thecontainer can be manufactured, transported and handled withoutsignificantly altering existing machinery, storage equipment, handlingapparatus, processes, or any combination thereof.

Accordingly, in some preferred embodiments, the width and length of thebox bottom wall is substantially the same as the width and length of thelid top wall. This can allow the container to exhibit the easy-liftfunction described above, whilst still having the same cross-sectionwhen viewed from above as that when viewed from below. The container maytherefore exhibit the easy-lift function described above, withoutaltering other dimensional aspects of the container that may generallybe considered aesthetically desirable for containers for consumer goods,such as smoking articles. In some particularly preferred embodiments,the maximum length and width of the container are substantially the sameas the width and length of the box bottom wall and the width and lengthof the lid top wall.

In containers according to the first aspect of the present invention,the shape of the first lid edge portion is different from the shape ofthe first box edge portion, such that, when the lid is in the closedposition, the lower edge of the first lid edge portion is disposedbeyond the upper edge of the first box edge portion in a transversedirection of the container. Consequently, the upper edge of the firstbox edge portion has a length that is greater than the length of thelower edge of the first lid edge portion. Preferably, the upper edge ofthe first box edge portion has a length of at least two times the lengthof the lower edge of the first lid edge portion, even more preferably ofat least four times the length of the lower edge of the first lid edgeportion. This can result in a suitably sized space between the loweredge of the first lid edge portion and the upper edge of the first boxedge portion in a transverse direction of the container.

The container may be formed from any suitable material or combination ofmaterials. In preferred embodiments, the box and lid of the containerare at least partially formed from a folded laminar blank, morepreferably a cellulose-fiber-based laminar blank. In such embodiments,preferably, the shape of the first lid edge portion and the shape of thefirst box edge portion are each defined by one or more respective linesof weakness in the laminar blank. This can allow the container and theshapes of the first lid edge portion and first box edge portion to bemanufactured using existing equipment and process, such as the equipmentand processes typically used for manufacturing containers for smokingarticles.

Preferably, the first lid edge portion is defined by a single line ofweakness extending in a longitudinal direction of the container betweenthe first lid side wall and the lid front wall. This can result in thefirst lid edge portion having a square edge profile when viewed from thetop the container. That is, the first lid edge portion may form a singleline that defines a substantially 90 degrees turning point between thelid front wall and the first lid side wall.

The laminar blank preferably comprises two or more lines of weaknessthat defines the first box edge portion. In some preferred embodiments,the laminar blank comprises two or more such lines that extend inparallel from the upper edge of the first box edge portion to the boxbottom wall. In such embodiments, the first box edge portion comprises asubstantially bevelled or curved shape. The number of such parallellines and relative spacing between such parallel lines will influencewhether the first box edge portion comprises a substantially bevelled orcurved shape. In some other preferred embodiments, the first box edgeportion comprises an upper section defined by two lines of weaknessextending from the upper edge of the first box edge portion towards thebox bottom wall and tapering towards one another, and a lower sectiondefined by one or more lines of weakness extending from the lower end ofthe upper section towards the box bottom wall, preferably terminating ator about the box bottom wall. In such embodiments, the upper section ofthe first box edge portion preferably defines a substantially triangularshape. The lower section of the first box edge portion may define abevelled shape, a curved shape, or a single substantially 90 degreesturning point between the box front wall and the first box side wall. Inparticularly, preferred embodiments the lower section of the first boxedge portion comprises a single line of weakness that defines a singlesubstantially 90 degrees turning point between the box front wall andthe first box side wall. Preferably this single line of weakness extendsfrom the box bottom wall to the lower end of the upper section of thefirst box edge portion. This arrangement is particularly preferably asit requires a minimal amount of lines of weakness in order to form therequired shape for the first box edge portion, whilst also allowing forthe maximum width and length of the container to be defined by the widthand length of the box bottom wall and the width and length of the lidtop wall.

The one or more lines of weakness that define the shape of the first boxedge portion and the shape of the first lid edge portion may be formedas creasing lines in the laminar blank. That is, the one or more linesof weakness may be formed by applying mechanical deformation at selectlocations on the laminar blank.

However, preferably, the one or more lines of weakness are defined byone or more ablated lines on the inner surface of the laminar blank.This can allow containers according to the present invention to beformed on existing high speed manufacturing machines with minimalmodification. In particular, as a result of removing material from theblank to form the one or more ablated lines, the specially selectedshapes of the first lid edge portion and the first box edge portion areformed automatically by virtue of the normal folding forces that areapplied to the blank during manufacture of the container. That is,folding the blank about its normal fold lines to create the walls of thecontainer automatically deforms the blank along the ablated lines thatdefine the shapes of the first lid edge portion and the first box edgeportion, so that no further processes are required to form thesespecially selected shapes. Advantageously, if the overall size (maximumwidth and depth) of a container according to the present invention isnot significantly altered, the laminar blank can be adapted easily toform containers having the required shapes of the first lid edge portionand the first box edge portion, without the need for major modificationsof the packing machine used to assemble and pack the container.

Furthermore, forming the ablated lines by removing material from thesurface of the blank that forms an inner surface of the containeradvantageously maintains a smooth outer surface of the container, whichmay provide a desirable appearance of the container upon visual andtactile inspection.

In any of the embodiments described above where the one or more lines ofweakness are defined by one or more ablated lines, each ablated linepreferably has a minimum residual thickness (RT) of at least about 5percent, more preferably at least about 10 percent, more preferably atleast about 15 percent, more preferably at least about 20 percent, morepreferably at least about 25 percent and even more preferably at leastabout 30 percent of the thickness (T) of the blank. In addition, or asan alternative, each ablated line preferably has a residual thickness ofless than about 50 percent, more preferably less than about 45 percentand even more preferably less than about 40 percent of the thickness (T)of the blank.

The present inventors have found that, if the ablated line extends toofar into the thickness of the laminar blank (that is, too deep) then theresultant outer surface of the container can be undesirably affected.For example, the outer surface can appear cracked or broken.Furthermore, the present inventors have found that, if an ablated linedoes not extend far enough into the thickness of the laminar blank (thatis, too shallow) then the resultant outer surface of the container canalso be undesirably affected. In particular, the present inventors havefound that the turning points of the container along the ablated linesmay be poorly defined on the container outer surface, and/or may followan unintended trajectory along the outer surface of the container. Forexample, if an ablated line extends in a straight line along the innersurface of the container, the present inventors have found that thecorresponding turning point that is produced on the outer surface of thecontainer may be non-linear, or uneven. The present inventors havetherefore identified that a cleaner looking, more well-defined containercan be produced when each of the ablated lines has a residual thicknessas specified above.

In any of the embodiments described above where the one or more lines ofweakness are defined by one or more ablated lines, the ablated width (X)of each ablated line is preferably at least about 0.1 millimetres. Morepreferably, the ablated width of each ablated line is at least about 0.2millimetres. Most preferably, the ablated width of each ablated line isat least about 0.3 millimetres. In addition, or as an alternative, theablated width of each ablated line is less than about 0.5 millimetres.More preferably, the ablated width of each ablated line is less thanabout 0.45 millimetres. In some preferred embodiments, the ablated widthof each ablated line is from about 0.1 millimetres to about 0.5millimetres. Even more preferably, the ablated width of each ablatedline is from about 0.2 millimetres to about 0.45 millimetres, morepreferably from about 0.3 millimetres to 0.4 about millimetres.

Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from a foldedlaminar blank, the thickness (T) of the laminar blank is preferablybetween about 200 micrometres and about 350 micrometres, more preferablybetween about 250 micrometres and about 300 micrometres. The thickness(T) of the laminar blank can be measured in accordance with ISO534:2011. Testing and conditioning at 23 degrees Celsius, 50% relativehumidity according to ISO 187 two weeks after ablation.

Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from a foldedlaminar blank, the laminar blank preferably has a basis weight of fromabout 150 grams per square metre to about 350 grams per square metre,more preferably from 200 to 300 grams per square metre. The basis weightis calculated using ISO 536 and may vary from plus ten percent to minusten percent, preferably from plus five percent to minus five percent.

Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from a foldedlaminar blank, the laminar blank preferably has a stiffness in thebending direction of at least about 50 milliNewtons, preferably at leastabout 75 milliNewtons, most preferably at least about 90 milliNewtons,In addition, or in the alternative, the laminar blank has a bendingstiffness of less than about 500 milliNewtons, preferably less thanabout 200 milliNewtons, more preferably less than about 160milliNewtons. The laminar blank preferably has a bending stiffness fromabout 50 milliNewtons to about 200 milliNewtons. More preferably, thelaminar blank has a stiffness in the machine direction of from about 75milliNewtons to about 160 milliNewtons. Stiffness in the “bendingdirection” means that the bending stiffness is measured in the directionthat the finished board is intended to be folded about the ablationzone.

Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from a foldedlaminar blank, the laminar blank preferably has a residual stiffness inthe bending direction of at least 10, preferably at least 12, morepreferably at least 15 and even more preferably at least 20milliNewtons. More preferably, the laminar blank has a residualstiffness in the bending direction of from about 60 or less, preferably,50 or less, even more preferably 40 or less milliNewtons.

Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from a foldedlaminar blank, the laminar blank preferably has a surface roughness offrom about 0.5 micrometres to about 1.5 micrometres. More preferably,the laminar blank has a surface roughness of from about 0.75 micrometresto about 1.25 micrometres. The surface roughness may be measured inaccordance with ISO 8791-4.

Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from a foldedlaminar blank, the laminar blank preferably has a surface strength offrom about 0.25 metres per second to about 1 metre per second. Morepreferably, the laminar blank has a surface strength of from about 0.5metres per second to about 0.8 metres per second. The surface roughnessmay be measured in accordance with ISO 3783.

Preferably, when the lid is in the closed position, the lower edge ofthe first lid edge portion is disposed beyond the upper edge of thefirst box edge portion by a distance of at least about 1 mm in thetransverse direction of the container, more preferably by a distance ofat least about 2 mm in the transverse direction of the container, andeven more preferably by a distance of at least about 3 mm in thetransverse direction of the container. Preferably, when the lid is inthe closed position, the lower edge of the first lid edge portion isdisposed beyond the upper edge of the first box edge portion by adistance of no more than about 10 mm in the transverse direction of thecontainer. This can provide a suitably sized space between the loweredge of the first lid edge portion and the upper edge of the first boxedge portion in a transverse direction of the container, for aconsumer's finger to be disposed.

Containers according to the present invention find application ascontainers for consumer goods, in particular elongate consumer goodssuch as smoking articles. Accordingly, in some preferred embodiments,there is provided a container, having any combination of the preferredfeatures described above, and containing smoking articles. However,containers according to the present invention can also be used forseveral other types of consumer goods, such as confectionary.

As noted above, containers according to the first aspect of the presentinvention can be advantageously formed (at least in part) by a foldedlaminar blank. Accordingly, according to a second aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided a laminar blank for forming a container forconsumer articles, the laminar blank defining a portion of thecontainer, which comprises: a box comprising a box front wall, a boxback wall, a box bottom wall, and first and second box side walls; and alid comprising a lid front wall, a lid back wall, a lid top wall, andfirst and second lid side walls. A lower edge of the lid back walldepends along a hinge line from a top edge of the box back wall, withthe lid being moveable about the hinge line between an open position anda closed position, in which at least a portion of the lower edge of thefirst lid side wall abuts at least a portion of the upper edge of thefirst box side wall, and at least a portion of the lower edge of the lidfront wall abuts at least a portion of the upper edge of the box frontwall. The first box side wall is connected to the box front wall by afirst box edge portion, and the first lid side wall is connected to thelid front wall by a first lid edge portion. The shape of the first lidedge portion is different from the shape of the first box edge portion,such that, when the lid is in the closed position, the lower edge of thefirst lid edge portion is disposed beyond the upper edge of the firstbox edge portion in a transverse direction of the container.

It shall be appreciated that any features described with reference toone aspect of the present invention are equally applicable to any otheraspect of the invention.

Where the box and the lid are at least partially formed from a foldedlaminar blank, the blank is preferably formed from a cellulose-fiberbased material, preferably plant-derived and more preferablywood-derived. The blank may contain at least 50 percent by weight,preferably at least 60 percent by weight, and even more preferably atleast 70 percent by weight of cellulose fibers based on the total fibercontent of the blank. Preferably, the laminar blank is formed fromwood-fibers cardboard or paperboard. Alternatively, the cellulose-fiberbased material may also contain other fibers, such as polymer fibers.The blank may be coated or uncoated and preferably is coated on bothsides. The container may optionally comprise an outer wrapper, which ispreferably a transparent polymeric film of, for example, high or lowdensity polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene,polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film, or combinations thereof and theouter wrapper is applied in a conventional manner. The outer wrapper mayinclude a tear tape. In addition, the outer wrapper may be printed withimages, consumer information or other data.

Further, the consumer articles may be provided within the container inthe form of a bundle wrapped in an inner package formed of metal foil ormetallised paper. The inner package material may be formed as a laminateof a metallised polyethylene film, and a liner material. The linermaterial may be a super-calendered glassine paper. In addition, theinner package material may be provided with a print-receptive topcoating. The inner package has an access opening through which consumergoods can be removed when a lid of the container is in a respective openposition.

The container is preferably a rectangular parallelepiped comprising twowider walls spaced apart by two narrower walls. Hinge lid containersaccording to the invention may be in the shape of a rectangularparallelepiped, with longitudinal and transverse edge portions. In suchembodiments, at least one of the longitudinal or transverse edgeportions is bevelled. That is, the hinge lid container may comprise oneor more bevelled longitudinal edge portions or bevelled transverse edgeportions, or combinations thereof.

Where the container comprises one or more bevelled edge portions,preferably each bevelled edge portion has a width of between about 2 mmand about 8 mm, preferably between about 4 and about 6 mm.

Containers according to the invention find particular application aspacks for elongate smoking articles such as, for example, cigarettes,cigars or cigarillos. It will be appreciated that through appropriatechoices of the dimensions thereof, containers according to the inventionmay be designed for different numbers of conventional size, king size,super-king size, slim or super-slim cigarettes. Alternatively, otherconsumer goods may be housed inside the container.

Through an appropriate choice of the dimensions, containers according tothe invention may be designed to hold different total numbers of smokingarticles, or different arrangements of smoking articles. For example,through an appropriate choice of the dimensions, containers according tothe invention may be designed to hold a total of between ten and thirtysmoking articles.

The smoking articles may be arranged in different collations, dependingon the total number of smoking articles.

Containers according to the present invention may hold smoking articlesof the same type or brand, or of different types or brands. In addition,both filter-less smoking articles and smoking articles with variousfilter tips may be contained, as well as smoking articles of differinglength (for example, between about 40 mm and about 180 mm), diameter(for example, between about 4 mm and about 9 mm). Preferably, thedimensions of the container are adapted to the length of the smokingarticles, and the collation of the smoking articles. Typically, theouter dimensions of the container are between about 0.5 mm to about 5 mmlarger than the dimensions of the bundle or bundles of smoking articleshoused inside the container.

The length, width and depth of containers according to the invention maybe such that the resultant overall dimensions of the container aresimilar to the dimensions of a typical disposable pack of twentycigarettes.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a height ofbetween about 60 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a height ofbetween about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the height is measuredfrom the bottom wall to the top wall of the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a width ofbetween about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a width of betweenabout 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the width is measured from oneside wall to the other side wall of the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a depth ofbetween about 6 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a depth of betweenabout 12 mm and about 25 mm wherein the depth is measured from the frontwall to the back wall of the container.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the container to the depth of thecontainer is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1, morepreferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, most preferablybetween about 3 to 1 and 5 to 1

Preferably, the ratio of the width of the container to the depth of thecontainer is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1, morepreferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, most preferablybetween about 2 to 1 and 3 to 1.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the lid back wall to the heightof the box back wall of the outer sleeve is between about 0 to 1 (lidlocated at the top edge of the container) to about 1 to 1, morepreferably, between about 1 to 5 and about 1 to 10, most preferably,between about 1 to 6 to about 1 to 8.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the lid front wall of the outersleeve to the height of the box front wall of the outer sleeve isbetween about 1 to 0 (lid covering the entire front wall) to about 1 to10, more preferably, between about 1 to 1 and about 1 to 5, mostpreferably, between about 1 to 2 and about 1 to 3.

The exterior surfaces of containers according to the invention may beprinted, embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished with manufactureror brand logos, trade marks, slogans and other consumer information andindicia.

Containers according to the invention may be filled and assembled usingconventional apparatus and methods, modified to include the step offorming one or more ablated lines in the blank. Where portions of thecontainer are defined by one or more ablated lines, the ablated linesmay be produced using an ablation tool, such as a laser or a blade. Alaser is particularly preferred as the ablation tool as it can allow fora wide variety of ablation profiles and configurations, with minimaladjustment of the laser tool being needed. For example, the laser may berepeatedly passed over a given portion of the blank to iterativelyremove different amounts of material, allowing for a very finelycontrolled ablation profile. It is also beneficial if fine ablated linesare required, with narrow widths. It is possible to accurately controlthe relative movement of the laser and the blank so as to form any typeof pattern with varying removal intensity (“depth”) over the ablationarea.

The term “wall” generally refers to a major substantially planar facetof the container. Where the wall is formed by a folded laminar blank, awall may be formed from a single panel or flap of the laminar blank, ora wall may be formed from two or more abutting or overlapping panels orflaps. Containers according to the present invention are preferablyparallelepipedal in shape, with the box front wall, box back wall, boxbottom wall, first and second box side walls, lid front wall, lid backwall, lid top wall, and first and second lid side walls forming themajor walls of the parallelepipedal container.

The term “edge portion” is used herein to refer to the portion of theblank defining an edge between two adjacent walls of the container.

A “cellulose-fiber-based laminar blank” is used herein to refer to alaminar blank comprising at least 50 percent by weight of cellulosefibers, based on the total fiber content of the laminar blank. Thecellulose-fiber-based laminar blank of the invention may include othertypes of fibers, such as polymer fibers.

The term “inner surface” is used throughout the specification to referto the side of a portion of the blank that, once the container isassembled, faces towards the interior of the container, for exampletowards the consumer goods, when the container is closed. Thus, theinner surface is not directly visible for the consumer when thecontainer is closed. The term “outer surface” is used throughout thespecification to refer to the side of a portion of the blank that, oncethe container is assembled, faces towards the exterior of the container.

The term “ablated line” is used herein to refer to a line along theinner surface of the edge portion from which material has been ablated(for example, removed by means of a laser beam or a blade). Accordingly,the residual thickness of an ablated line is less than the thickness (T)of the laminar blank. The ablated line is preferably provided as agroove within the blank. This may be formed with a linear ablation tool,such as a laser or a blade.

The “thickness” (T) of the blank is the thickness of the blank after ithas been manufactured, but before any ablation lines or creasing lineshave been formed in the blank. That is, the thickness (T) of the blankis the thickness in any region of the blank not containing an ablatedline or a crease line.

The term “residual thickness” is used herein to refer to the minimumdistance measured between two opposite surfaces of the laminar blank orof a wall of the container formed from the blank. In practice, thedistance at a given location is measured along a direction locallyperpendicular to the opposite surfaces. The residual thickness of theablated line may vary across a width of the ablated line, (e.g.V-shaped, U-shaped grooves).

The term “minimum residual thickness” is used herein to refer to thesmallest value of “residual thickness” measured in an ablated line at agiven location.

The residual thickness of each ablated line can be determined by usingan Optical Profilometer for 2D Non-Contact Surface Metrology, such asthe MicroSpy® Profile (commercially available from Fries Research &Technology GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany), or a 3D laser scanningconfocal microscope, such as the VK-X series of microscopes(commercially available from Keyence Corporation of America, New Jersey,United States of America). Preferably, several points of minimumresidual thickness are measured over the length of an ablated line,whereas the points of measurement are evenly spread over the length ofone ablated line and the arithmetic mean is calculated.

Even more preferably, to obtain the “minimum residual thickness”according to the present invention, five measurements, evenly spreadover the length of an ablated line, are performed and then thearithmetic medium is calculated.

For example, if the length of the ablated line is 80 millimetres, theresidual thickness is measured at both ends of the ablated line and atthree further points distanced 20 millimetres, forty millimetres andsixty millimetres respectively from one end of the ablated line,preferably from the lower end of the ablated line.

The term “residual stiffness” is used to describe the stiffness of theresiding laminar blank as measured over the minimum residual thicknessof one given ablation line and is calculated using the stiffness inbending direction of the laminar blank multiplied by the percentage ofresidual thickness. For example, if the stiffness in the bendingdirection of the non-ablated laminar blank is 100 milliNewton and theminimum residual thickness is 30 percent, then the residual stiffness inbending direction is 100 milliNewton multiplied by thirty percent equal30 milliNewton. The stiffness of the laminar blank can be measured inaccordance with ISO 2493, 15 degrees, for example by taking a sample ofthe blank material from a portion of the blank that is not scored orablated (the sample may be printed or otherwise coated if it is infinished form).

Testing and conditioning at 23 degrees Celsius, 50% relative humidityaccording to ISO 187 two weeks after ablation.

As used herein, the terms “front”, “back”, “upper”, “lower”, “top”,“bottom” and “side”, refer to the relative positions of portions ofcontainers according to the invention and components thereof when thecontainer is in an upright position with the access opening at the topof the container. In particular, where the container is a hinged lidcontainer, this refers to the container being in an upright positionwith the lid in the closed position and the hinge line at the back ofthe container. When describing containers according to the presentinvention, these terms are used irrespective of the orientation of thecontainer being described.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, withreference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a container for consumer goods, according to afirst embodiment of the present invention, shown in an openconfiguration;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a container for consumer goods, according to afirst embodiment of the present invention, shown in a closedconfiguration;

FIG. 3 is an overhead view of an unfolded laminar blank for forming asimilar container to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a container 100 according to a firstembodiment of the present invention. The container 100 contains awrapped bundle of consumer goods 60, such as a bundle of cigarettes. Thecontainer is formed from a folded laminar blank and has a lid portion 40and a box portion 20. The lid portion has a first lid side wall 44 a, asecond lid side wall 44 b, and a lid top wall 46. The lid portion alsohas a lid front wall 42 and a lid back wall (not shown in FIG. 1). Thebox portion 20 has a box front wall 22, and a first box side wall 24 a.The box portion 20 also has a box bottom wall, a box back wall and asecond box side wall (not shown in FIG. 1). The lid 40 depends along ahinge line (not shown in FIG. 1) from a top edge of the box back wall,and is movable about the hinge line between an open position (as shownin FIG. 1) and a closed position. An inner frame 50 is attached to theinside of the box 20 and includes a first inner frame side wall (54 a),a second inner frame side wall (not shown in FIG. 1), and an inner framefront wall 52.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first box side wall 24 a is connected to the boxfront wall by a first box edge portion 25. The first lid side wall 44 ais connected to the lid front wall 42 by a first lid edge portion 45.

The first box edge portion 25 has a triangular shape, with one side ofthe triangular shape forming the upper edge 27 of the first box edgeportion 25. As will be seen more clearly in FIG. 2, the first lid edgeportion 45 is defined by a single line of weakness extending in thelongitudinal direction of the container between the first lid side wall44 a and the lid front wall 42. This effectively, results in the loweredge 47 of the of the first lid edge portion 45 forming a single pointin the container, that defines a right-angle turning point between thefirst lid side wall 44 a and the lid front wall 42.

FIG. 2 shows the container of FIG. 1 with the lid 40 now moved to theclosed position. In this position, at least a portion of the lower edgeof the first lid side wall 44 a abuts at least a portion of the upperedge of the first box side wall 24 a, and at least a portion of thelower edge of the lid front wall 42 abuts at least a portion of theupper edge of the box front wall 22.

As is clear from FIG. 2, the shape of the first lid edge portion 45 andthe shape of the first box edge portion 25 are such that, in the closedposition of FIG. 2, the lower edge 47 of the first lid edge portion 45is disposed beyond the upper edge 27 of the first box edge portion 45 ina transverse direction of the container. Consequently, an overhang iscreated between the lid 40 and the box 20 about the first lid edgeportion 45 and the first box edge portion 25. A consumer can thereforeplace their finger on the triangular surface of the first box edgeportion 25 and under the overhanging portion of the lid 40 that isdefined by the first lid edge portion 45 and simply push directlyupwards on the lid 40, to thereby pivot it about the hinge line into anopen position, such as that shown in FIG. 1. The box bottom wall and thelid top wall 46 have substantially the same width and length as oneanother, and this corresponds to the maximum width and length of thecontainer 100. Consequently, the introduction of a gap or overhang atthe first lid edge portion 45 and the first box edge portion 25 does notaffect the maximum width or length of the container 100.

FIG. 3 shows a laminar blank 101 for forming a container similar to thatshown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Solid line represent cut lines, and dashed linesof weakness that have been formed by ablated lines on the inner surfaceof the blank 101, along which the laminar blank 101 is folded ordeformed to form the container 100.

The laminar blank 101 comprises a box bottom panel 152, a box frontpanel 154 depending along an ablated line 156 from the box bottom panel152, and a box rear panel 158 depending along an ablated line 160 fromthe box bottom panel 152. Inner box side panels 162 depend along ablatedlines 164 from the box rear panel 158 and outer box side panels 166 a,166 b depend along ablated lines 168 b from the box front panel 154respectively. Two box dust flaps 170 depend along ablated lines 172 fromthe first box side panels 162. When the laminar blank 101 is folded toform the container 10, the box bottom panel 152 in combination with thebox dust flaps 170 forms the container bottom wall.

The laminar blank 101 further comprises a lid rear panel 174 dependingalong an ablated line 176 from the box rear panel 158, a lid top panel142 depending along an ablated line 178 from the lid rear panel 174, anda lid front panel 180 depending along an ablated line 182 from the lidtop panel 142. A lid front under panel 184 depends along an ablated line186 from the lid front panel 180. The laminar blank 100 also comprisesfirst lid side flaps 188 depending along ablated lines 190 from the lidrear panel 174, first and second dust flaps 138, 140 depending alongablated lines 194 from the respective first lid side flaps 188, andsecond lid side flaps 196 depending along ablated lines 198 from the lidfront panel 180. When the laminar blank 100 is folded to form thecontainer 10, the lid top panel 142 in combination with the first andsecond dust flaps 138, 140 forms the container top wall. Each first boxside panel 162 in combination with the respective second box side panel166, first lid side flap 188 and second lid side flap 196 forms therespective container side wall. The box rear panel 158 and the lid rearpanel 174 together form the box rear wall. The box front panel 154 incombination with the lid front panel 180 and the lid front under panel184 forms the container front wall.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ablation area 168 a separating the box frontpanel 154 from the first inner box side wall 166 comprises an uppersection defined by two ablated lines that extend from the upper edge ofthe first box edge portion 125, and a lower section defined by a singleablated line that extends from the lower end of the upper sectiontowards the box bottom panel 152.

1. A container for consumer articles, the container comprising: a boxcomprising a box front wall, a box back wall, a box bottom wall, andfirst and second box side walls; and a lid comprising a lid front wall,a lid back wall, a lid top wall, and first and second lid side walls;wherein, a lower edge of the lid back wall depends along a hinge linefrom a top edge of the box back wall, with the lid being moveable aboutthe hinge line between an open position and a closed position, in whichat least a portion of the lower edge of the first lid side wall abuts atleast a portion of the upper edge of the first box side wall, and inwhich at least a portion of the lower edge of the lid front wall abutsat least a portion of the upper edge of the box front wall; wherein thefirst box side wall is connected to the box front wall by a first boxedge portion, and the first lid side wall is connected to the lid frontwall by a first lid edge portion; and wherein the shape of the first lidedge portion is different from the shape of the first box edge portion,such that, when the lid is in the closed position, the lower edge of thefirst lid edge portion is disposed beyond the upper edge of the firstbox edge portion in a transverse direction of the container; and whereinthe first box edge portion comprises a substantially triangular shape,wherein one side of the substantially triangular shape forms the upperedge of the first box edge portion.
 2. A container according to claim 1,wherein the first box edge portion comprises a bevelled or curved shape.3. A container according to claim 1, wherein the width and length of thebox bottom wall is substantially the same as the width and length of thelid top wall.
 4. A container according to claim 1, wherein the maximumlength and width of the container are substantially the same as thewidth and length of the box bottom wall and the width and length of thelid top wall.
 5. A container according to claim 1, wherein the upperedge of the first box edge portion has a length of at least two timesthe length of the lower edge of the first lid edge portion.
 6. Acontainer according to claim 1, wherein the box and lid are at leastpartially formed from a folded laminar blank, and wherein shape of thefirst lid edge portion and the shape of the first box edge portion areeach defined by one or more respective lines of weakness in the laminarblank.
 7. A container according to claim 1, wherein the first lid edgeportion is defined by a single line of weakness extending in alongitudinal direction of the container between the first lid side walland the lid front wall.
 8. A container according to claim 6, wherein thefirst box edge portion comprises an upper section defined by two linesof weakness extending from the upper edge of the first box edge portiontowards the box bottom wall and tapering towards one another, and alower section defined by one or more lines of weakness extending fromthe lower end of the upper section towards the box bottom wall.
 9. Acontainer according to claim 6, wherein the one or more lines ofweakness are defined by one or more ablated lines on the inner surfaceof the laminar blank.
 10. A container according to claim 9, wherein thelaminar blank has a thickness (T) and each ablated line has a minimumresidual thickness (RT) of from about 15 percent to about 50 percent ofthe thickness (T) of the blank.
 11. A container according to claim 9,wherein each ablated line has an ablated width (X) of from about 0.1millimetres to about 0.5 millimetres, as measured transversely to thelongitudinal direction of the respective edge portion.
 12. A containeraccording to claim 1, wherein when the lid is in the closed position,the lower edge of the first lid edge portion is disposed beyond theupper edge of the first box edge portion by a distance of at least about1 mm in the transverse direction of the container.
 13. A containeraccording to claim 1 containing smoking articles.
 14. A laminar blankfor forming a container for consumer articles, the laminar blankdefining a portion of the container, which comprises: a box comprising abox front wall, a box back wall, a box bottom wall, and first and secondbox side walls; and a lid comprising a lid front wall, a lid back wall,a lid top wall, and first and second lid side walls; wherein, a loweredge of the lid back wall depends along a hinge line from a top edge ofthe box back wall, with the lid being moveable about the hinge linebetween an open position and a closed position, in which at least aportion of the lower edge of the first lid side wall abuts at least aportion of the upper edge of the first box side wall, and at least aportion of the lower edge of the lid front wall abuts at least a portionof the upper edge of the box front wall; wherein the first box side wallis connected to the box front wall by a first box edge portion, and thefirst lid side wall is connected to the lid front wall by a first lidedge portion; and wherein the shape of the first lid edge portion isdifferent from the shape of the first box edge portion, such that, whenthe lid is in the closed position, the lower edge of the first lid edgeportion is disposed beyond the upper edge of the first box edge portionin a transverse direction of the container; and wherein the first boxedge portion comprises a substantially triangular shape, wherein oneside of the substantially triangular shape forms the upper edge of thefirst box edge portion.